Aryna Sabalenka makes feelings clear on Iga Swiatek as she opens up on pair’s rivalry and relationship
Aryna Sabalenka has expressed her wish for her and Iga Swiatek to “have fun and just enjoy our rivalry” instead of being “too tough on each other.”
The Belarusian explained her relationship with Swiatek is “becoming more chill” and described the Pole as a “really nice person.”
The duo surprised fans by appearing together in a light-hearted video posted on Sabalenka’s TikTok account at the WTA Finals in Riyadh in October.
Sabalenka and Swiatek then practised together in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, with a video shared of the pair doing a fitness drill.
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka keep themselves prepared for the new season pic.twitter.com/I7HkKPnoK0
— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) December 23, 2024
Sabalenka overtook Swiatek at the top of the WTA Rankings in October and secured her maiden year-end No 1 finish to cap off an excellent 2024 season.
WTA Tour News
The 11 women with a 100% win rate in Grand Slam finals: ft. Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka & Emma Raducanu
What happened after Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek’s failed drug tests? Full explainer
The 26-year-old Belarusian won the Australian Open and the US Open in 2024 to take her major title tally to three, while the 23-year-old Pole secured a fourth Roland Garros crown and fifth Grand Slam overall. Swiatek has won two of the pair’s last three encounters and leads the head-to-head 8-4.
Ahead of her appearance at the 2025 Brisbane International, Sabalenka was asked if it was strange to train with her rival in Abu Dhabi.
“Yeah, it was fun,” she explained. “It all started on the [WTA] Finals. I asked her to do TikTok. I was [thinking], ‘Okay, whatever, I’m going to ask and see what happens.’
“I thought we have to stay together and have fun and just enjoy our rivalry, not be too tough on each other. So I asked. We did it. Since that, we already practise for couple of times.
“Then I was doing fitness after our hit. She was like, I can join you guys. I am like, Yeah, let’s do that. We filmed it and post it.
“It’s been becoming more chill between us, too. I have to say she’s really nice person. It was fun get to know each other.”
The two-time reigning Australian Open champion, who was a runner-up in Brisbane in 2024, also discussed her return to a country where she has enjoyed great success.
“Yeah, I’m super happy to be back in Brisbane,” Sabalenka said. “We’ve been here for, I don’t know, four or five days. I don’t remember.
“Probably still jet-lagged. But yeah, like practicing here. I like the atmosphere. Yeah, just can’t wait to start playing here.
“Yeah, I have a lot of great memories from Australia. I’m super excited to be back. Always feels like home here. Love the support. Yeah, I love the atmosphere here in Australia. I hope it’s going to keep working well for me.”
READ NEXT: Iga Swiatek makes ‘scared’ admission about fans as she addresses reaction to doping ban
